NEWS

Olesen leads Levet by three as rain again halts play at Lyoness Open

By PA Sport
Published on
Olesen leads Levet by three as rain again halts play at Lyoness Open

ATZENBRUGG, Austria -- Heavy rain and the threat of lightning caused play to be abandoned midway through the second round of the Lyoness Open on Thursday with Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen sitting on a three-shot clubhouse lead.

The 22-year-old's excellent form that saw him finish ninth in last week's British Open -- his sixth top-10 finish of the season -- continued as he moved onto 12 under par after completing his second round of this European Tour event.

Starting one behind Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, Olesen's first task of the day was to complete the four remaining holes of his first round caused by an earlier rain delay. He picked up a birdie at the 17th to complete a first round 64 then after a quick turnaround enjoyed perfect conditions to sign for a second-round 68.

Thomas Levet finished with a second-round 70 to sit in second place three shots behind the Dane.

England's Richard Bland (67) was next best on 8 under, with Dutchman Wil Besseling (72) on 7 under, together with home favorite Bernd Wiesberger, the Ballantine's Championship winner, who shot a superb round of 66 to move into contention.

Overnight leader Larrazabal struggled to maintain his momentum, and the Spaniard was on 2 over par after nine holes when play was suspended at Diamond Country Club with most players still on the front nine.

Olesen holed birdie putts from 12 and 25 feet at the fourth and fifth respectively, before striking his approach shot to three feet at the eighth hole.

"There was quite a strong wind out there at times," he told said. "I struggled a bit round the turn and hit a few bad drives, but I managed to hit some good shots coming home, so I'm happy to get in on 12 under par. It's been a long day, but a very good one."